Saatvika Kantamneni | MA Collaborative Theatre Production and Design

Supported by the Guildhall School Trust

Why did you choose to come to the Guildhall School?

This is the only programme of its kind in the world that gives young people like me the opportunity to collaborate with my peers and create new work. Coming from India, where I worked as a stage manager with a theatre and live events company, this programme was the perfect fit for me to learn through the work whilst also being part of the best technical theatre school.

What’s the best thing about studying at Guildhall?

I think that there isn’t one best thing; Guildhall is the best because of the right mix of everything – supportive staff, positive work environment, world-class facilities and bespoke opportunities. It is an ideal playground for a young theatre maker!

What do you plan to go on to do? And how will your time at the Guildhall School prepare you for that?

I am working towards becoming a freelance stage and production manager, and the experience of working on different kinds of projects and choosing my roles on them, has truly given me the opportunity to learn more about myself and my craft.

How has being awarded a scholarship helped you during your time at the Guildhall School?

The scholarship has helped me to realise my dream. The opportunity it gave me to train at one of the best technical theatre schools in the world is excellent, especially when we don’t have any in my home country of India. This bespoke Masters programme is not available anywhere else, and the state of the art education and facilities provided makes the experience a turning point in my life. With the prohibitive exchange rates and my father’s government wages, none of this would have been possible without scholarship support.